Related to the research and development
projects of new models, weight reduction has always been a
major goal for Ferrari, which also leads to less fuel
consumption and reduced emissions. Numerous technological
innovations in this direction have been incorporated in the
Ferrari models over the last years. Recently a project
called "MilleChili" has been presented. The symbolic target
of this project is the overall weight of the car (mille
chili = 1,000 kg), which represents a stimulus to direct the
technical decisions, which go against the possibilities of
lightness.
Today the project takes a step forward in its development,
thanks to collaboration with the University of Modena and
Reggio Emilia, especially with its Engineering department.
Today the Mille Chili" Laboratory has been inaugurated at
the department. It is a lecture room equipped with hardware,
software and chassis from Ferrari to study research projects
developed by the faculty's undergraduates, aiming at a
weight reduction. Eight undergraduates will work at the "MilleChili"
laboratory. They can rely on the support of their teaching
staff and some Ferrari engineers.
The inauguration was held in the presence of the students,
the teaching staff and the President of the faculty
Professor Giuseppe Cantore, while for Ferrari CEO Amedeo
Felisa and Mario Mairano, Head of Human Resources and
General Secretariat, were present.
Engineer Felisa said: "It is a great pleasure to inaugurate
this laboratory, which will work on a very important issue
for the future. The experience confirms that constant
collaboration between private industry and University is a
fundamental part, and contributes to growth for both
parties: the University has to work with not exclusively
theoretic issues, while the industry can confront itself
with new ideas." On the subject of University and innovation
Amedeo Felisa reminded that "Ferrari will finance six
scholarships in the area of research by young
graduates/undergraduates in Engineering, Physics,
Architecture and Human Studies at Italian and international
Universities. This shows the attention our Company has for
the young to increase the value of creativity and
competence."
Meanwhile there was a short ceremony for
the inauguration of the renovated Mother Child Research
Centre at the University Hospital at Modena that ended with
the appearance of Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo. The
Centre was renovated with the most advanced technologies and
more employees thanks to the economic contribution from the
Prancing Horse. The Company wanted to reaffirm its
connection to the territory by giving specific help to
medical research in Italy.
"We know very well," Luca di Montezemolo said, "how
important research is. We can see it in our daily work:
every year Ferrari invests around 18% of its turnover in
research and development for the new cars. Today we wanted
to make a contribution to those who dedicate themselves to
medical research in the most innovative areas, such as
cellular therapy, which here, in this laboratory, has a
special importance, as it's dedicated to curing newborns and
infants." "I am pleased that this collaboration is with the
University Modena and Reggio Emilia," Luca di Montezemolo
¬said. "Ferrari has always had a very close connection with
the territory and its centres of excellence, of which the
structure inaugurated today is a vivid example."
The contribution to the University Modena and Reggio Emilia
is part of a series of interventions Ferrari is carrying out
in 2009 in favour of research and formation. Amongst these
there is also the financing of six scholarships for students
at Italian and foreign Universities for the development of
projects connected to industrial innovation. In the meeting
were also present Architect Giovanni Bissoni, Regional
Health Councillor Professor Aldo Tomasi, the Dean of the
University Modena and Reggio Emilia Doctor Stefano Cencetti,
the General Director of the University Hospital Modena
Professor Giorgio Pighi, the Mayor of Modena and Professor
Emilio Sabattini, the Province's President.
